New here and considering a LC100 (1 Viewer)

[Gtech25]

Hi. First post here and I'm looking at getting a 100 series. I found one locally but it's just a little scary. 1999 LC 4.7 363k miles with records apparently accessible for the last 15 years. The timing belt was done at 271k from what I was told. I have been talking to the owner and haven't gone to look at it yet. From the CL add it looks like surface rust starting but hard to see from the pictures. Body looks good. Interior looks clean.

It has been a Central KY vehicle most it's life from what I can discern. They're asking $5k for it. It won't be my daily as I have a company vehicle and my wife has her own vehicle. It will be a slow build that I would like to keep for awhile.

I can almost guarantee I can get it for under $4k I'm just worried about the longevity. I understand the motor is very dependable, however it would make me nervous as to how long until a new motor.

Any opinions or advice appreciated.

Matt

 

[CanadianRockyCruiser]

Crawl underneath and take a peak. If it drives, doesn't squeak, and isn't full of rust...BUY IT.

 

[uzj100]

It's a steal at 4k. Will run to 500k plus and new/used motors can be bought of ebay.

 

[Ninja Cruiser100]

Sounds like a neat rig. Be careful falling in love with the notion of cheap. I would recommend a full PPI since things can add up quickly.

The vehicle will need a water pump/timing belt soon.

 

[zadaco]

I looked at the same one earlier today. Few things to note:
-Moonroof leaks and it’s parked outside.
-Piston slap on cold start up
-Passenger window would not roll down
-Center diff would not lock (no light anyway)
-Rear diff locker no-op
-Rust on bottom of hatch
-Very slight driveline vibration at highway speed. Possible U-joint
-Front driver side suspension is sagging, believe torsion bar may need re-indexed
-A/C wouldn’t engage at first, but I tapped on compressor clutch and it eventually engaged.
-Had a strange noise/clunk when quickly realeasing the accelerator when driving sometimes.
-Lots of play in steering on center.

Tires good, brakes good, runs well when warmed up, shifts well. In my opinion, needs quite a bit of reconditioning though. I spoke with him for probably 20 minutes while looking at it, so any other questions I may be able to help. Also, in regards to price, I offered $4k and he declined, countered at $4800, then $4500. Said he had “many offers on the table already.”

 

[Gtech25]

Crawl underneath and take a peak. If it drives, doesn't squeak, and isn't full of rust...BUY IT.

Definitely solid advice. I appreciate it!

Sounds like a neat rig. Be careful falling in love with the notion of cheap. I would recommend a full PPI since things can add up quickly.

The vehicle will need a water pump/timing belt soon.

Absolutely considered the PPI. I figured the WP/TB would be in the cards very soon and was going to use this as bartering. Thanks!

I looked at the same one earlier today. Few things to note:
-Moonroof leaks and it’s parked outside.
-Piston slap on cold start up
-Passenger window would not roll down
-Center diff would not lock (no light anyway)
-Rear diff locker no-op
-Rust on bottom of hatch
-Very slight driveline vibration at highway speed. Possible U-joint
-Front driver side suspension is sagging, believe torsion bar may need re-indexed
-A/C wouldn’t engage at first, but I tapped on compressor clutch and it eventually engaged.
-Had a strange noise/clunk when quickly realeasing the accelerator when driving sometimes.
-Lots of play in steering on center.

Tires good, brakes good, runs well when warmed up, shifts well. In my opinion, needs quite a bit of reconditioning though. I spoke with him for probably 20 minutes while looking at it, so any other questions I may be able to help. Also, in regards to price, I offered $4k and he declined, countered at $4800, then $4500. Said he had “many offers on the table already.”

I appreciate you letting me know. I'm going to shoot you a PM to speak a little more. Hard pass for you or still considering it? I'm in no hurry right now, and time isn't on the sellers side so I would assume that would slowly come down. Thanks!

 

[zadaco]

It was a pass from me when he turned down $4k. It’s been posted on Craigslist and Facebook for 2+ months, so I figured like you did that the price would be more negotiable.

 

[wvrx]

I think there are better deals to be had...unless it was meticulously maintained at that mileage, you’ll start to see many of the headache issues pop up. $6-7k will afford you much better examples with lower mileage and maintenance records; it would definitely be worth the additional cost.

 

[Gtech25]

It was a pass from me when he turned down $4k. It’s been posted on Craigslist and Facebook for 2+ months, so I figured like you did that the price would be more negotiable.

I appreciate it. I was assuming he would be a little negotiable.

I think there are better deals to be had...unless it was meticulously maintained at that mileage, you’ll start to see many of the headache issues pop up. $6-7k will afford you much better examples with lower mileage and maintenance records; it would definitely be worth the additional cost.

Not much else around here. I think there are some LXs in the area but want my 1st born for them. I'll take a look around Tennessee.

 

[zadaco]

Decent Land Cruiser/LX450/LX470’s are difficult to find around Kentucky for sure.

 

[wvrx]

Might be worth a one-way flight to other parts of the country to pick up a better example...good luck with your search

 

[slacker24-7]

Might be worth a one-way flight to other parts of the country to pick up a better example...good luck with your search

agreed I drove 700 miles RT twice to get mine, one trip to look at it and another to pick it up, very happy I did , take your time and stay away from rust as much as possible

 

[MongooseGA]

Every one of mine I've bought out of state and flown in to pick up. And I live in Georgia!

I tell my (real estate) office the same thing all the time... "A cheap house, a deal does not necessarily make". Meaning, just because it's cheap, doesn't mean it's a good deal. And sometimes, the worst deal on paper may end up being the best one overall depending on circumstances.